Opportunity exists for one PhD project on the population dynamics and conservation biology of the critically endangered New Zealand takahe. The takahe, Porphyrio hochstetteri, is the world's most critically endangered flightless rail (~300 individuals) and is supported by one of New Zealand's most intensive and costliest recovery programs. The PhD project will involve the development, parameterization, and analysis of a population model to help focus conservation and restoration efforts. Analysis of the model when subjected to the economic constraints of various management scenarios may help inform the optimization of recovery efforts. The student will be co-supervised by Dr. Martin Krkosek (www.zoology.otago.ac.nz/pubs/krkosek/MK_Lab.html) and Assoc. Prof. Ian Jamieson (www.otago.ac.nz/threatenedbirdgroup/Home.html) in the Department of Zoology at the University of Otago. The successful candidate will apply for and receive an Otago Doctoral Scholarship (www.otago.ac.nz/study/scholarships/postgraduate_scholarships.html) or have other independent funding. Prospective candidates please send letter of interest and cv to martin.krkosek@otago.ac.nz.
For more info, contact:
Martin Krkosek
martin.krkosek@otago.ac.nz